Celebrating 100 Years in Los Angeles

For a century, Abell Auction Company has skillfully practiced and passionately preserved the American tradition of the public auction. Now in its fourth generation and still family-operated, it is distinguished as Southern California’s premier marketplace for fine estate furnishings, art and jewelry – drawing an international audience of buyers and sellers.

2016

Hosting a record 54 auctions per year, Abell is Southern California’s marketplace for fine estate furnishings, art and jewelry.

1992

Abell is destroyed by fire during civil unrest, but reopens for business just three weeks later at its current location east of downtown Los Angeles.

1976

Following the death of Abraham N. Abell, a new generation of family leadership continues his legacy of trust, integrity and community service.

1941

During World War II, Abell celebrates its 25th anniversary as Los Angeles’ first permanent auction house showcasing fine estate property—a tradition that continues today.

1916

Liberty Auctions relocates to the West Adams district in Los Angeles and is officially renamed A.N. Abell Company.

1908

Abraham N. Abell purchases a furniture store and transforms it into a thriving auction house called Liberty Auctions.

1907

Abraham N. Abell emigrates from Kiev, Russia to the United States and settles in California.

OUR STORY

Born in Kiev, Russia, Abraham N. Abell immigrated to the United States in 1907, settling in California. Shortly after his arrival in Los Angeles, he ventured into the business world by purchasing a furniture store from a relative. During World War I, the modest store was transformed into a thriving auction house called Liberty Auctions.

In 1916, after relocating to the West Adams area, Abell Auction Company received its current name. Catering to the trust and estate communities of Southern California, Abell was the first permanent auction house in Los Angeles showcasing fine estate property – a tradition that continues today.

On a devastating night in 1992, Abell was destroyed by fire during civil unrest. Within three weeks, it reopened for business at its current location, approximately 10 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.

Today, Abell’s weekly general and quarterly fine art and antique sales drawing a global following of in-person and online bidders. Located in the nation’s second largest market, it has successfully fused its century-old brick and mortar business model with internet sales while maintaining a key differentiator—its personal touch.

Abell’s skilled professionals are among the best, ranging from appraisers, catalogers and gemologists to translators who speak Mandarin and Cantonese to accommodate the growing Asian market. So respected is Abell’s reputation for trust, integrity and the ability to sell, that many clients and employees have stayed with the company for decades.

In today’s competitive marketplace, Abell combines the intimacy of a live auction with the global reach of internet sales. These are ingredients for success that come only once in a hundred years.

100 years in business, 300 years of experience

Abell Auction Company’s leadership team brings nearly 150 years of combined industry experience. Its three most tenured employees add another 150 years of combined experience.

These include 93-year-old Ruth Weinberg, who has worked at Abell for the past 72 years! Weinberg, a Los Angeles native, joined Abell in 1943 and still works every auction, driving herself 35 miles round-trip between her home and the gallery.

Auctioning Los Angeles History

Abell has handled the treasured belongings of high-profile clients ranging from a former U.S. president to legendary Hollywood celebrities, such as silent screen idol Francis X. Bushman, costume designer Edith Head and “Gone with the Wind” actress Anne Rutherford, to name a few.

In 2004, Frank Sinatra’s martini-stained Steinway piano and a platter that served up steak to Cary Grant were among the items auctioned from L.A.’s famed Perino’s restaurant, the last of the legendary eateries from Hollywood’s Golden Age.

Notable Auction Items

Not only has Abell sold the estates of actors and producers on Hollywood’s “A-list,” but of many people who were the backbone of Hollywood such as writers, set designers, and stylists like Sydney Guilaroff who created Lucille Ball’s iconic hairdo.

Gene Kelly’s Yamaha grand piano

Flip Wilson’s Mercedes 280SE 3.5 convertible, custom-designed Harley Davidson motorcycle and clothing from his popular television character “Geraldine”